KEY PLAYERS: Sitting on back-to-back conference titles, the Warriors got a late start due to volleyball success, but that hasn't slowed their spirit. Led by a pair of three-year post players, all-stater Rachael Bruinsma (6-1) was her team's leading scorer and second-leading rebounder, while 6-foot all-conference player Vanessa Eekhoff (6-0) was the leading rebounder and second- leading scorer. Eekhoff is a danger under both baskets, amassing as many offensive rebounds as defensive rebounds the past two seasons. Senior point guard Julie Merz (5-7) was in a three-way rotation as a junior, so has seen as much playing time as many starters. Merz moves the ball well and should add outside shooting. Senior wing Cassidy Kraker (5-6) shoots well and should add points on the scoreboard, and both sophomore Alyssa Wright (5-5) and junior Jessica Knoll (5-6) are good ball handlers and shot contributors. Juniors Lorelle Hollenbeck (5-10) and Anneliese DeKam (5-7) will fill in at post and wing, respectively.

OUTLOOK: "Our overall movement is good," coach Mike Henry said. "We need to shore up our defense. We want to play consistent offense, but every team wants that. That's why we need to improve our defense, so we can hang in there if our offense isn't consistent."

COVENANT CHRISTIAN CHARGERS

COACH: Dan Kuiper (first year).

2012 RECORD: 13-10 overall, 5-5 in River Valley.

KEY PLAYERS: Not only will a new coach grace the bench for Covenant Christian, but the team will sport 10 juniors and only one senior. The lone returning starter is junior wing Arika Engelsma (5-11), a very athletic player who can do many things. She has the ability to penetrate, but can also take the shot when needed. Senior Nicole Kamps (5-11) plays very aggressive and excels at doing the little things well. Junior Holly Hunderman (6-0) will be a presence under the basket. Hunderman brings her height, but also her instincts down low as an all-around threat. Junior Monica Engelsma (5-9) is an intense defender who hustles for the ball, while junior Molly Van Baren (5-9) is a tenacious defender with good energy.

OUTLOOK: "We're a work in progress," said coach Dan Kuiper. "We are very young, so we have a lot of young enthusiasm. If we can channel that enthusiasm, we will be all right. We may struggle offensively, but we have people willing to play some defense. Hopefully, that will get us by."

MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL CRUSADERS

COACH: Eric Adams (third year).

2012 RECORD: 10-11, 5-5 in River Valley.

KEY PLAYERS: After breaking even in both the conference race and overall, Muskegon Catholic is hoping its depth will put the squad at better than .500 by the end of the season. Led by all-stater Katherine Salisz (5-8), a four-year starter at point guard, the Crusaders have a lot of everything in the lineup. Salisz sees the court well and led in assists last year. She was second-leading scorer to senior guard Haleigh Locke (5-8). Locke has the skills to put the ball in the bucket night after night. While the offense seems to be locked up going into preseason, defensively the Crusaders should be strong as well. Senior forward Marissa Mastella (5-9) is a top defender and rebounder. Senior center Kendall Wickstrom (5-9) will also make her presence known under the basket. In addition to these four returning starters, the Crusaders also scored big in the offseason with six transfer student-athletes.

OUTLOOK: "We have got a lot of depth and good senior leadership," said MCC coach Eric Adams. "With the six transfer students, the team has already been meshing well. Our weakness is a lack of height, so we are going to need to press a lot."

FREEDOM CHRISTIAN FALCONS

COACH: Derek Foltice (fifth year).

2012 RECORD: 5-16 overall, 2-8 in River Valley.

KEY PLAYERS: Not a lot has changed in the Freedom Christian lineup the past couple of season, with five of seven returners back. Again leading the charge is senior point guard Emily Gatlin (5-9), an aggressive and hard-working player with the speed to run the court. Gatlin will be looking for senior Rachael Slottke (5-11) down low. Slottke was all-conference last year as a top rebounder and scorer. Senior guard Alison Westra (5-7) offers sound fundamentals and makes good decisions. All three seniors are three-year varsity players. Entering her second season, sophomore wing Lexi Pronk (5-10) is still raw, but has the athleticism and work ethic to add a bit of everything to the lineup, including rebounding and running the floor well. Emily Koetsier (5-10) is a good ball handler for a post player and brings her skills to the defensive end.

OUTLOOK: "Last year we were juniors and a freshman, and this year we are going to be pretty senior-laden," said coach Derek Foltice. "We have five girls with a lot of experience, and they've dealt with a lot of adversity along the way. Hopefully, we can benefit from those bumps."

TRI-UNITY CHRISTIAN DEFENDERS

COACH: Mike Kaman (first year).

2012 RECORD: 10-12 overall, 2-8 in River Valley.

KEY PLAYERS: A work in progress will see a new change this season, as coach Mike Kaman moves into the girls' game at Tri-unity. With only 14 players comprising both the junior-varsity and varsity, Kaman is still trying to figure out what he has. Of the seven players who make up the JV squad, only five are underclassmen. Kaman said his expectation is that the players "come to practice with their whole hearts, to play under God with their whole hearts, and to have fun with their whole hearts."

OUTLOOK: "It is a fresh, new program, and I hope that by the end of the season, the girls will have built long-lasting relationships. Hopefully, the younger girls will get a good concept of the offense and defense."